Radio Coverage

MRN and AudioNow partner up: In a first for motor sports fans around the country, Motor Racing Network and AudioNow have jointly announced a new way to access live race broadcasts simply by dialing a number from any mobile device. Across the United States, race fans can dial 1-832-999-1717 and listen to MRN race-day broadcasts, interviews and analysis, and weekly programming such as "NASCAR Live" and "NASCAR USA." Upcoming broadcast includes the Budweiser Duel and the season-opening Daytona 500 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, Feb. 24. The phone number incurs no extra charges and is the equivalent of making a mobile call. As data costs continue to rise on mobile devices and "unlimited voice plans" plummet, radio-by-voice stream is emerging as one of the most affordable pathways in the United States for listeners to use when they're away from their favorite station.(Motor Racing Network)(2-21-2013)UPDATE: AudioNow announced new weekly content from the Motor Racing Network providing access to live race broadcasts all season long simply by dialing a number from any telephone. Across the United States, race fans can now dial 1-832-999-1717 and listen to MRN race-day broadcasts, and catch in-depth interviews and analysis from the programs they missed. It's the equivalent of making a standard phone call and incurs no extra charges for mobile users. As data costs continue to rise on mobile devices and "unlimited voice plans" plummet, radio-by-voice streaming is an emerging, affordable pathway for fans to use when they're not in range of their favorite radio station.(AudioNow)(5-1-2013)

Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup:
· Phoenix International Raceway has been a part of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup since the playoffs inception in 2004. This weekend the track will host its 10th Chase event.
· The winner of the Chase race at Phoenix International Raceway has gone on to win the championship three times: Jimmie Johnson (2007-2009).
· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in Chase race wins at Phoenix with three (2007-2009); followed by Kevin Harvick with two (2006, 2012).
· The worst finish in a Chase race by the eventual series champion at Phoenix International Raceway is 10th, by Kurt Busch in 2004. Busch was in the Chase standings lead following the 2004 Phoenix Chase race.
· Chase Contenders have won seven of the nine previous Chase races at Phoenix International Raceway. The only non-Chase contenders to win a Phoenix Chase race were Kyle Busch (2005) and Kasey Kahne (2011).
· Six of the 2013 Chase Contenders are former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase race winners at Phoenix: Jimmie Johnson (three), Kevin Harvick (two), Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch (one each).
· The average Chase race finish by the eventual series champion at Phoenix International Raceway is 3.7.
· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in Chase race wins at Phoenix with four: Kyle Busch (2005), Jimmie Johnson (2007-2009).
· Chevrolet leads the series in Chase wins at Phoenix with seven; followed by Ford and Toyota with one each.
· The most dominant performance by a Chase race winner at Phoenix International Raceway is Kevin Harvicks victory in 2006. He posted a Perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 and led 252 of the 312 laps (80.7% of his laps completed) most by a Chase race winner at Phoenix.
· The Phoenix Chase race has been won from the Coors Light pole twice: Jimmie Johnson (2008) and Carl Edwards (2010).
· Since the inception of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2004, the eventual champion has not held the No. 1 point standings position twice following the Chase race at Phoenix:
o 2010 Jimmie Johnson was 15 points behind Denny Hamlin heading into Homestead-Miami.
o 2011 Tony Stewart was three points behind Carl Edwards heading into Homestead-Miami.
· There have been four Chase race Perfect Driver Rating performances since the inception of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2004: Kevin Harvick (Phoenix, 2006), Clint Bowyer (New Hampshire, 2007), Carl Edwards (Homestead, 2010) and Jimmie Johnson (Texas, 2013).(NASCAR)(11-9-2013)

Phoenix Facts and Notes - Friday - poles:
· Geoff Bodine won the first pole in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 sec.)
· There have been 19 different Coors Light pole winners, led by Ryan Newman with four.
· Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles. Newman won three straight (2002-04), while Gordon won the fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007. Edwards won the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011.
· Denny Hamlin (November 2005) and AJ Allmendinger (April 2010) won their first career Coors Light poles at Phoenix International Raceway.
· Four of the 34 (11.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Phoenix have been won from the Coors Light pole: Jeff Gordon (spring 2007), Jimmie Johnson (fall 2008), Mark Martin (spring 2009) and Carl Edwards (fall 2010).
· Seven of the 34 (20.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Phoenix have been won from the front row: four from the pole and three from second place.
· 16 of the 34 (47%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Phoenix have been won from a starting position inside the top 10.
· Ricky Rudd won the 1995 race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
· Matt Kenseth won the 2002 race from the 28th-place starting position, the furthest back an active race winner has started.(NASCAR)(11-8-2013)

Phoenix Facts and Notes - Thursday:
· Geoffrey Bodine won the first pole in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 sec.)
· There have been 19 different Coors Light pole winners, led by Ryan Newman with four.
· Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles. Newman won three straight (2002-04), while Gordon won the fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007. Edwards won the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011.
· Denny Hamlin (November 2005) and AJ Allmendinger (April 2010) won their first career Coors Light poles at Phoenix International Raceway.
· Four of the 34 (11.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Phoenix have been won from the Coors Light pole: Jeff Gordon (spring 2007), Jimmie Johnson (fall 2008), Mark Martin (spring 2009) and Carl Edwards (fall 2010).
· Seven of the 34 (20.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Phoenix have been won from the front row: four from the pole and three from second place.
· 16 of the 34 (47%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Phoenix have been won from a starting position inside the top 10.
· Ricky Rudd won the 1995 race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
· Matt Kenseth won the 2002 race from the 28th-place starting position, the furthest back an active race winner has started.(NASCAR)(11-8-2013)

Phoenix Facts and Notes - Tuesday:
• Construction was completed in January 1964. The facility consisted of a one-mile oval and a 2.5-mile road course.
• Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix on Nov. 6, 1988.
• The first spring race was held on April 23, 2005 (it was also the first night race), won by Kurt Busch.
• The track underwent its first repave in 2011. Construction began in March and ended in September of that year.
• The following changes were made during the construction period (March September 2011):
• Widened the frontstretch from 52 to 62 feet
• Reconfigured pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls
• Pushed the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet
• Tightened the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet
• Implemented variable banking to ensure the immediate use of two racing grooves, including 10-11 degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11 degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 8-9 degree banking in Turn 4.
• There have been 34 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Phoenix International Raceway, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.
• 185 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix; 135 in more than one.
• Mark Martin leads series in starts at Phoenix with 33; followed by Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte with 29 each.
• Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Phoenix was the (4/10/2010) race won by Ryan Newman with a MOV of 0.13 seconds.
• Two drivers have won at Phoenix and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same season: Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep and 2009); Dale Earnhardt (1990).
• Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has made a NASCAR Sprint Cup start at Phoenix International Raceway.
• Car numbers that have produced three or more Phoenix wins: #48 Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep and 2009); #99 Carl Edwards (2010 and 2013) and Jeff Burton (2000, 2001); #29 Kevin Harvick (2006 sweep and 2012); #5 Mark Martin (2009), Kyle Busch (2005) and Terry Labonte (1994).(NASCAR)(11-5-2013)

RACE RUNDOWN....news and links

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Clinch Scenarios Set For Homestead: #48-Jimmie Johnson leads #20-Matt Kenseth by 28 points in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, going into Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Regardless of any other drivers finish, Johnson will clinch his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with a finish of 23rd or better at HMS; or 24th or better and at least one lap led; or 25th or better and the most laps led in Sundays Ford EcoBoost 400. #29-Kevin Harvick, 34 points behind Johnson, remains the only other driver eligible for the 2013 championship.(NASCAR)(11-10-2013)

Harvick wins at Phoenix:#29-Kevin Harvick won the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway for his 4th win of 2013, his 4th win at Phoenix and 23rd career win. Harvick led the most laps with 70 of 312.
Pole sitter and points leader #48-Johnson finished 3rd with #20-Kenseth having a tough day and finishing 23rd, Johnson now leads the points 28 over Kenseth and 34 over Harvick with one race left.
If #48-Johnson finishes 23rd or better at Homestead he will clinch his 6th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
#5-Kahne finished 2nd followed by #48-Johnson, #88-Earnhardt Jr. #78-Busch, #42-Montoya. #18-Busch #56-Truex Jr., #22-Logano and #39-Newman.
There were 23 lead changes among 13 drivers and 8 cautions for 49 yellow flag laps.
The average speed was 105.733mph. NASCAR no longer announces the track attendance.
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Phoenix Race & Points Report (pdf)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway have been made.
Pole sitter #48-Johnson chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #11-Hamlin took pit stall 33, the fourth pit stall with an opening in front of it, just before the start-finish line.
#22-Logano, who starts 3rd took the 25th pit stall, the 3rd stall with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #78-Busch, who starts 8th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(11-9-2013)

NASCAR Green-White-Checkered Race Procedure: NASCAR allows a maximum of three restart attempts prior to the White Flag under NASCAR's Green-White-Checkered flag finish. If the leader has taken the White Flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field is frozen and the race will not be restarted. Previously, there was only one restart attempt. The procedure applies to all three national series. See rule and notes on the Green-White-Checker rule page.

Wave-around rule: The wave-around rule dictates that cars under penalty at the time of the caution are ineligible for the wave around.

Johnson wins Phoenix pole: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway with a track record speed of 139.222mph for his 3rd pole of 2013 and 32nd of his career. Johnson has won 13 races from the pole.
#11-Hamlin is on the outside pole, followed by #22-Logano, #18-Busch, #24-Gordon, #15-Bowyer, #5-Kahne, #78-Busch, #29-Harvick and #56-Truex Jr.
Missing the race was: none, only 43 drivers entered.
See the full starting lineup, pole progression, qualifying results & order on the Phoenix Starting Lineup / Qualifying Page.(11-8-2013)

Qualifying Fast Facts - Phoenix:
#48-Jimmie Johnson won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 26th Annual AdvoCare 500 with a lap of 25.858 seconds, 139.222 mph. He breaks Kyle Busch's 11/11/12 record of 25.943 seconds, 138.766 mph)
This is his 32nd pole in 434 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and 22nd top-10 start in 2013.
This is his second pole in 21 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
#11-Denny Hamlin (second) posted his 19th top-10 start of 2013 and his eighth in 17 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
#22-Joey Logano (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his 18th in 35 races this season.
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (27th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(11-8-2013)

Coverage of Qualifying for the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2013 at 5:40pm/et.Television (TV): FoxSports2, 5:30pm/etRadio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: none

Qualifying Order for the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is posted. 43 cars/drivers are listed.
The first of the drivers scheduled to go out is #7-Blaney.
The final driver scheduled to go out is #27-Menard.
Fastest in Friday practice, #48-Johnson, is scheduled to qualify 41st.
Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
See the full qualifying order on the Phoenix Qualifying Page.(11-8-2013)

Entry List for the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is posted, 43 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #30-Whitt, #32-Hill, #40-Raines, #51-Allgaier, #95-Sorenson. Since only 43 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list at my Jayski's Phoenix Entry List

How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

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Camping, Eating andTravel Info

Some Chassis Selections and Notes by Teams for this race

Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the AdvoCare 500(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway:

#1-Jamie McMurray: chassis not reported on race preview.#2-Brad Keselowski: Primary Chassis for Charlotte is PRS-864, which last raced at Chicago finishing 7th. The backup chassis is PRS-838 which last raced at Darlington and finished 32nd.#5-Kasey Kahne: Crew chief Kenny Francis has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-815 for Sundays race at Phoenix. Kahne has driven this chassis twice this season. In September, he raced this car at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway and finished 14th. Most recently, he qualified second at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in late September. In 18 Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix, Kahne has one win, three top-five finishes and six top-10s. He has qualified inside the top 10 during the last five races at the one-mile Avondale, Ariz., oval, making his average start 5.8 in these past five events.#7-Dave Blaney chassis not reported on race preview.#9-Marcos Ambrose: The #9 DeWalt team will bring chassis No. 728 to Phoenix this weekend. The team ran this chassis at two races this season. Ambrose brought home the chassis best finish of eighth in the spring race at Martinsville.#10-Danica Patrick will pilot Chassis Chassis No. 10-823 was used for the first time in September at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, where Patrick started 21st and finished 27th. Patrick has made seven stock car starts at Phoenix ˇV five in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition in addition to her two Sprint Cup appearances. Her best finish at the mile oval was a 10th-place effort in the Nationwide Series race last November.#11-Denny Hamlin: chassis not reported on race preview.#13-Casey Mears: not reported.#14-Mark Martin: Chassis No. 14-792 made its debut in April at Richmond . It started 21st but Tony Stewart wheeled it into the top-five prior to a greenwhite-checkered finish. There, Stewart was bumped out of the way in the two-lap scramble and instead of finishing fifth, he wound up a disappointing 18th. Chassis No. 14-792 was poised for another strong finish in its second career start when it rallied from its 16th-place starting spot to lead 84 laps in July at New Hampshire. But while in second place on the final lap, Chassis No. 14-792 ran out of fuel. Stewart was forced to coast all the way around the 1.058-mile oval, which left him a disappointing 26th. With interim driver Mark Martin at the wheel, Chassis No. 14-792 returned to New Hampshire in September, qualifying 18th and finishing 23rd. Martin and Chassis No. 14-792 are back together this weekend at Phoenix for the penultimate race of the 2013 season.#15-Clint Bowyer: Primary chassis No. 761 finished second at Martinsville in April, 13th at Loudon in the July and 17th in September. Backup chassis No. 743 raced at both Richmond races. Bowyer made his Sprint Cup Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway on April 23, 2005 - his only Sprint Cup Series start that season.#16-Greg Biffle: and the Matt Puccia led #16 3M Scotch Ford Fusion team will bring primary chassis RK-867 was new when Biffle earned a third-place finish in the second Chase race at New Hampshire. The backup chassis is RK-822 which last ran Bristol and finished 9th. Biffle has 19 Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix, earning five top-five and seven top-10 finishes while also leading for a total of 388 laps.#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: and the #17 Roush Fenway Driven team will be using primary chassis RK-868 which last ran at New Hampshire and finished 24th. The backup chassis RK- 827 last raced at Charlotte finished 14th.#18-Kyle Busch: chassis not reported on race preview.#20-Matt Kenseth: chassis not reported on race preview.#22-Joey Logano: Primary Chassis is PRS-863 for Phoenix, which last ran at Chicago and finished 37th. The Backup Chassis is PRS-848 which last raced at New Hampshire finishing 14th.#24-Jeff Gordon: chassis not reported on race preview.#27-Paul Menard will pilot chassis No. 434 at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. This #27 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet SS previously ran at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September. Menard has 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the one-mile oval. His best start of seventh came in both 2009 and 2012, and his best finish of ninth came in both 2011 and 2012. The Wisconsin native has completed 4,111 of 4,134 laps attempted (99.4 percent) at the Avondale, Ariz., track.#29-Kevin Harvick: will pilot chassis No. 430 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the AdvoCare 500. Harvick drove this RCR-prepared machine to a third-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in September and most recently tested this Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway in October. Since 2001, Harvick has made 21 Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway. Throughout the years, the California native has made three trips to Victory Lane (both events in 2006 and November 2012), he has also collected six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick holds an average starting position of 18.5 coupled with an average finishing position of 12.9, has completed 99.7 percent (6,611 of 6,633) of the laps contested and has 420 laps led to his credit.#31-Jeff Burton will race chassis No. 429 this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. This #31 @CATMining Chevrolet SS was raced by Burton at Dover International Speedway in September. Burton has 28 starts at Phoenix International Raceway with two wins (2000 and 2001), seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes. He has also led 222 laps at the one-mile facility.#34-David Regan chassis not reported on race preview.#35-Josh Wise chassis not reported on race preview.#36-J.J. Yeley chassis not reported on race preview.#38-David Gilliland chassis not reported on race preview.#39-Ryan Newman will pilot Chassis No. 39-826 at Phoenix International Raceway. Built new for 2013, Chassis 39-826 will see its first laps of racing competition this weekend. The AdvoCare 500k will mark Newmans 23rd Sprint Cup start at Phoenix, where he has four poles, one win, eight top-five finishes and eight top-10s. Additionally, the 35-year-old driver has led 176 laps, has an average starting position of 12.4 and an average finish of 19th at the desert oval.#42-Juan Pablo Montoya: chassis not reported on race preview.#43-Aric Almirola:: The #43 Smithfield team has prepared chassis No. 837. The #43 team raced this chassis five times this year with a best finish of eighth at Richmond International Raceway in April.#47-Bobby Labonte Crew chief Brian Burns will bring Chassis 703 to New Hampshire: The last time we raced chassis 703 was Loudon, Burns said. He had a good run there until we cut down a tire and that ended our day. Phoenix is a lot like Loudon and we have a good setup for this weekend. Bobby Labonte's journey behind the wheel of the #47 Toyota with JTG Daugherty Racing comes to a close at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). The 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has one pole award, three top-five and nine top-10 finishes and has led 68 laps in 29 starts at PIR. His average start is 23.034 and his average finish is 18.448.#48-Jimmie Johnson: will drive chassis No. 832 at Phoenix, which is a brand new chassis. Chassis No. 806 serves as the backup which ran both races in 2013 at New Hampshire finishing 6th in July and 4th in Sept.#55-Elliott Sadler: Primary 762 in which Brian Vickers drove this chassis to victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14. In 18 Phoenix races he owns a top 10 and has led 17 laps. In 432 Sprint Cup starts hes won three races, eight poles and led 1,244 laps. In 227 Nationwide starts hes won nine races, 15 poles and led 1,422 laps. He won the spring Nationwide race in Phoenix in 2012.#56-Martin Truex Jr.: chassis not reported on race preview.#78-Kurt Busch chassis not reported on race preview.#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: crew chief Steve Letarte and the No. 88 crew will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-818 at Phoenix International Raceway. Earnhardt most recently raced this chassis to a sixth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September. In 22 NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Phoenix International Raceway, Earnhardt has earned two wins, five top-five finishes and nine top-10s. He also has led 507 laps at the one-mile track. He scored his two wins there back-to-back, going to Victory Lane in November 2003 and November 2004 when Phoenix hosted one Cup event a season.#99-Carl Edwards the #99 Fastenal blue team will unload RK 866 which last ran at New Hampshire and finished 9th. The backup chassis is RK 802 which last ran at Bristol. Fastenal will return for their final primary paint scheme and will feature supplier brands Lenox, GearWrench, Norton and MCR Safety on the hood, TV panel, deck lid and B-post. In 18 starts at the one-mile track, Edwards has two wins, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. His average start is 11.9 and average finish is 11.8. Edwards has won three pole awards in Phoenix and snagged his second victory this past April.
(from numerous team PR's/sites)(11-7-2013)

Goodyear Tires Notes / Fast Facts

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Intermediate Radials:

Set limits: Sprint Cup: 5 sets for practice/qualifying and 10 sets for the race

Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR national series will run the same tire codes at Phoenix this week, though the Sprint Cup and Nationwide tires will be branded Goodyear Eagle, while the Camping World Truck tires will be branded Goodyear Wrangler . . . while Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams ran this right-side tire code (D-4594) at Phoenix in March, this is a new left-side tire code (D-4612) . . . compared to what was run earlier this season, this left-side code features both compound and construction changes . . . the compound change is designed to give the cars more grip, while the construction change brings this tire in line with what is run at New Hampshire . . . this tire set-up came out of a Goodyear test at Phoenix on September 10-11 . . . Sprint Cup teams participating in that test were the #10 Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet, #17 Roush Fenway Ford, #31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, #42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet and #55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Phoenix.